Does Neosporin Help Cat Wounds
One treatment that provoked some controversy is Neosporin, an antibiotic ointment with a triple action intended for humans. There has been debate about whether it is safe for felines, and some experts suggest it is fine to use on cats.
Its all very confusing? Can you use neosporin for cat wound care?
The simple answer, at present, is no, you cant, unless specifically told by a vet. For a start, in many countries, including the US, it is illegal to use any medicine in a way not described on the label. Because Neosporin contains no guidance for use with cats, its against the law to use it on felines.
There are reasons for this. Neosporin contains three active ingredients:
- Neomycin
- Polymyxin B
- Bacitracin
Polymyxin could be dangerous to cats, because it can provoke an allergic reaction and cause death by anaphylactic shock.
Cats have very unique metabolisms and are susceptible to many substances that cause absolutely no harm to humans. You should never give human medicine without veterinary advice.
Is There An Over The Counter Alternative To Neosporin
Unfortunately there is no over the counter alternative to Neosporin in cats. However, there are veterinary specific ointments that can be prescribed in place of Neosporin. If your cat has a minor cut or scrape, schedule an appointment for your cat to be looked over by your vet. They can prescribe the right antibiotic ointment for your cats scrape.
Vomiting At Home: How Hydrogen Peroxide Works
The most common DIY method uses 3% hydrogen peroxide, given orally . Hydrogen peroxide typically induces vomiting within 15 minutes, if it is going to work. Please note that hydrogen peroxide is safe for dogs but should never be used for cats as it can cause hemorrhagic gastroenteritis and necroulceration.
Feeding a small moist meal before giving the peroxide helps. Think of it as ballast to bring up more material. Some veterinarians also recommend mixing the hydrogen peroxide with water.
Before you take on the task yourself, follow these rules because sometimes making your pet vomit is the last thing you want to do. Even if your pet does vomit for you, the emergency may not be over.
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Treating Cat Wounds Naturally
Some people swear by natural products such as honey, apple cider vinegar, and aloe vera. There are many products containing these, which may be good antiseptic sprays for treating cat wound care naturally.
Why not ask your vet about some of these alternatives if you want a natural wound cleaner?
They will tell you if they are effective and safe to use on your cat.
Leave Scrapes Uncovered False
A bandage can protect the area from rubbing against clothing and dirt and bacteria. That can help the wound heal faster. To reduce the risk of infection, always clean a wound before bandaging. If you have a cut, bandages can also help hold the edges of the cut together. When using an adhesive strip, apply it across the width of the wound, not lengthwise.
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Can Ointment Help Cat Wounds
You may also want to know what to put on a cats wound?
While some ointments used for humans may be safe to use in cats, its probably best to seek advice from a professional before trying it out. Cats are susceptible to many substances that cause no harm to humans.
It may be much safer to use a wound ointment specially designed for cats. Cat wound sprays can be even better. Its sometimes easier to use these sprays since they can be sprayed directly on the wound without having to secure or hold your feline.
Most wound sprays contain an antimicrobial agent called benzalkonium chloride.
This heavy-duty sounding compound is actually a mild antiseptic agent commonly called a quat .
Quats are safe, long-lasting, and effective ingredients for cleaning and disinfection.
Most importantly, they will not make your feline sick if your cat decides to lick the wound.
You can usually use the wound spray a few times a day, but you should ask your veterinarian what is best based on the type, depth, and location of the wound.
Two: Assess The Wound
What type of wound does your cat have. Is it just a small abrasion, is it a wide, gaping wound, or is it a puncture wound? The type of wound determines whether you can treat it at home.
Generally, large gaping wounds and deep puncture wounds may require the attention of a vet. To help you along, we will explain the different types of wound, any potential complications, and how to treat them at home.
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How Do You Treat An Open Wound On A Cat
How should I manage an open wound at home? Following the specific instructions of your veterinarian, clean the wound two to three times daily with a mild antiseptic solution or warm water to remove any crusted discharge and keep wound edges clean. Do not clean the wound with hydrogen peroxide, witch hazel, or alcohol.
What Can I Put On My Cats Wound
How should I manage an open wound at home? Following the specific instructions of your veterinarian, clean the wound two to three times daily with a mild antiseptic solution or warm water to remove any crusted discharge and keep wound edges clean. Do not clean the wound with hydrogen peroxide, witch hazel, or alcohol.
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Do I Need To Use An Ear Cleaner
It is highly recommended to use a good quality ear cleaner. Cleaners with hydrogen peroxide or alcohol can cause irritation within the ear canal, especially if the canal is inflamed or ulcerated. Some ear cleaners have antibacterial or antifungal ingredients to help prevent ear infections. Certain cleaners are better at removing wax build-up. Your veterinarian can help you decide which ear cleaning solution is best for your pet.
Why Leave A Wound Open
Sometimes the location or the amount of skin loss prevents surgical closure or bandaging . Sometimes, puncture wounds or other trauma force bacteria deep into the tissues. A contaminated wound that is more than a few hours old should never be closed without surgical debridement , and in some cases this may result in more permanent damage than treating the wound medically and leaving it open to heal.
Most wounds are contaminated with bacteria, and often contain foreign material such as dirt, grit, or hair. When possible, your veterinarian will disinfect and stitch up the wound.
If the wound is open for an extended period, it will often be left to heal without surgical closure, though a drain may be placed. Most of these wounds are treated using a combination of repeated flushing, bandaging, and antibiotics . Alternatively, some wounds have tissue removed and then are closed.
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Can Iodine Help Cat Wounds
If you are wondering what to put on a cats wound, iodine can be used during the cleaning process too.
It is not as effective as chlorhexidine at cleaning wounds, but you are more likely to have a plain old bottle of iodine laying around the house than to have a chlorhexidine solution.
Create a 50/50 iodine and water mixture to use the iodine as a rinse.
Use a sterile piece of gauze to pat the wound dry when you are done.
With the wound cleaned, should you bandage it as you would for a human wound?
Was Your Pet Food Recalled
How to make a saline solution for your dog or cat:
- Pour out 1 cup of boiling water.
- Add 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
- Stir to dissolve and leave it to cool.
- Make a fresh solution each time you need it.
2. Disinfectant Solutions
Having a pet disinfectant in your first aid kit is a great idea. But beware not all home disinfectants are safe for animal use.
For example, disinfectants containing phenols are toxic to cats and should not be used. A lot of people dont know that Lysol or Pine-Sol can be toxic to cats, Dr. Cynthia Karsten, DVM, tells Veterinary Practice News.2
Check the packaging to make sure it isnt a phenolic product, but you can also tell when you dilute the disinfectant phenols go cloudy in water.
Safe disinfectants include chlorhexidine and povidone-iodine.
If its not already diluted, youll need to dilute the disinfectant to the strength indicated on the label concentrated disinfectant not only kills bugs but also damages exposed living tissue, so get the dilution right.
Although intact skin is its own natural barrier, in the case of a wound where raw tissue is exposed, using an incorrect strength could slow healing.
Heres what you can expect your veterinarian to do if you bring your pet in for more serious wounds:
3. Hydrogen Peroxide
Now, theres no denying the use of hydrogen peroxide is controversial.3
The reason is the difference between killing bacteria and healthy tissue is all a matter of dilution.
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Yellow Dock Root Extract
After shampooing your cat, you can follow up with a yellow dock root extract rinse for good measure. This will further prevent ear mites from reproducing because you will take away any environment they have to thrive.
Likewise, dilute about nine drops of the root extract with a tablespoon of water. Ensure that its at least room temperature and administer half a dropper of the solution into your cats ears before cleaning them with the other methods.
This will eliminate the risk of new mite hatchlings trying to grow.
Alternatives For The Treatment Of Feline Acne
There are some products, such as Zymox pet spray with hydrocortisone 1.0%, which are used to fight all types of bacteria In addition, they accelerate the healing process of wounds and skin infections. As the presentation is in spray, its handling and application is usually comfortable.As for natural products, apple cider vinegar is an excellent remedy to eliminate allergens that cause irritation. Also, clean the skin, being able to kill mites, fleas and ringworms.On the other hand, applying Aloe vera on the infected area serves to calm and reduce inflammation, however, be very careful that the cat does not swallow it as it can be toxic.Feline acne can be a symptom of other diseases or pathologies, so it is necessary to go to the veterinarian to determine the cause and actions to follow.
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Bandaging A Cat Wound
The best thing to use to bandage a cat wound is Vet Wrap.
Vet Wrap is a self-adhesive bandage that you can cut to size to fit over the wound. There are many different colors and sizes available. There is also a no chew version that has a bitter taste so that your cat wont try to chew the bandage off. Dont use regular adhesive bandages because they will stick to the cats fur and can rip fur out upon removal.
Wrap the bandage firmly around the wound but dont make it too tight. Make sure that the cat can move freely and comfortably. Cut the bandage to make sure it fits well. The bandage should be changed daily until the wound is healed.
Can You Put Neosporin On A Scratch On A Cat
The owner of a cat who suffers a minor scratch or wound may apply a small amount of the ointment, on a cotton swab or ball, to the wound after applying a small amount of a product such as hydrogen peroxide to clean the wound. While Neosporin is not highly poisonous, it is not intended to be ingested.
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Schedule A Recheck Exam
Recheck examinations are one of the most vital steps in successful cat ear infection treatment. Most ear infections are treated for a minimum of two to three weeks, but this can be extended, especially if there are any underlying or predisposing factors such as allergies.
During this visit, another sample will likely be taken from the ear canal and examined under a microscope. For this diagnostic to be successful, do NOT clean or medicate your cats ears at least 24 hours prior to the exam.
Your veterinarian can check to see whether the infection has resolved, particularly if your cat has had ear infections in the past. If its not, additional testing and treatment may be required.
Remember, even if your cat stops scratching or their ears look better, the infection may not have fully resolved. Since a cats ear canal is shaped like the letter L, debris such as hair, impacted wax, or residual infection can be hidden despite a normal, healthy-appearing ear.
Once the issue is resolved, speak to your veterinarian about ways to prevent reoccurring cat ear infections and other ear issues, and how often to clean your cats ears going forward.
Final Thoughts: How To Clean A Cat Wound
It is scary to see your beloved cat with a wound. But if you are able to act quickly you can spare your cat a lot of pain and possibly having to go through treatment for an infected wound. Make sure to trim your cats nails regularly.
Make sure that you have a cat first aid kit ready to go and you will be able to confidently clean a cats wound at home. As much as we want our precious cats to never have an injury or a wound they do sometimes get into trouble. Knowing how to clean and dress a cats wound will lower the chances of infection.
When your cat has a wound stay calm and take action. If you are calm that will help your kitty stay calm!
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Should I Call The Vet
Before you do anything else, you need to figure out if you should take your cat to an emergency veterinarian.
Bleeding is an emergency, especially if your cat is losing blood in large quantities.
While humans have a total of five liters of blood or more, cats only have .25 liters. That means they dont have as much to spare.
A further complication is that felines have a lower percentage of blood volume by weight than humans 6.5% instead of 7.5% or 8%.
So, basically, cats have far less blood to lose before shock sets in.
The symptoms of shock, or dangerous blood loss, include pale gums, rapid breathing, increased heart rate, and low blood pressure.
If you notice these symptoms, seek emergency veterinary care immediately.
Otherwise, if there appears to be no immediate danger, you can work through the home treatment steps. Before we start, if you have a specific question, in our most recent update, we answered some of the questions put forward by our readers.
Clean With Hydrogen Peroxide Or Alcohol False
Using hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol to clean an injury can actually harm the tissue and delay healing. The best way to clean a minor wound is with cool running water and mild soap. Rinse the wound for at least five minutes to remove dirt, debris, and bacteria. Wounds that are large, deep, or bleeding nonstop should be treated by a professional.
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Some Reasons For Using Hydrogen Peroxide Include:
- Flushing or Cleaning Drains: Your veterinarian may have placed a drain at the surgical site of your pets wound. You can dilute hydrogen peroxide with water and clean the openings where the drain is poking out through the skin. This helps prevent fluid from building up under the skin. Also, if it is a solid type drain , you can use this method to flush the inside of the drain using a syringe.
- Cleaning: Cleaning the fur where the drain has been draining/leaking. Wet the fur with the hydrogen peroxide, let it sit for a minute or two, and then gently wipe or comb the bloody discharge from the fur. Leaving the fluid drainage from a wound on the fur can cause skin irritation if left in place.
How Can I Treat My Cats Wound At Home
How should I manage an open wound at home? Following the specific instructions of your veterinarian, clean the wound two to three times daily with a mild antiseptic solution or warm water to remove any crusted discharge and keep wound edges clean. Do not clean the wound with hydrogen peroxide, witch hazel, or alcohol.
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Can You Put Peroxide On A Cat
Can You Put Peroxide On A Cat? Following the specific instructions of your veterinarian, clean the wound two to three times daily with a mild antiseptic solution or warm water to remove any crusted discharge and keep wound edges clean. Do not clean the wound with hydrogen peroxide, witch hazel, or alcohol.
If something is ingested that could cause burns, like an acid or leaking battery, inducing vomiting could cause damage to the esophagus and throat and worsen the situation. Inducing vomiting with oily substances can increase the risk of aspiration or inhaling the vomit into the lungs and can cause pneumonia. Hydrogen peroxide is often used to induce vomiting in dogs, but is never safe to give to cats. Salt is a dangerous choice and should not be used to induce vomiting in pets. These substances often cause vomiting and diarrhea, which can lead to dehydration, plus there is increased risk of aspiration pneumonia if these substances are vomited. The veterinarians and staff at Pet Poison Helpline are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help provide safe advice in pet poisoning situations. Please call Pet Poison Helpline or speak with your veterinarian before giving your pet any medicine or other home treatments.